Timeline

Begin your journey through the McGovern Legacy Museum by viewing a timeline of George and Eleanor's life. George Stanley McGovern was born on July 19, 1922 in Avon, South Dakota and he died on October 21, 2012 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Eleanor Faye Stegeberg was born November 25, 1921 in Woonsocket South Dakota and died January 25, 2007 in Mitchell, South Dakota. Both George and Eleanor attended Dakota Wesleyan University. 

After a high school debate in Woonsocket, South Dakota, Eleanor met George McGovern. At the debate her and her sister defeated McGovern and his partner. George was impressed with Eleanor's intellect, speaking ability and command of her subject matter. The couple met again and fell in love while they were both students at Dakota Wesleyan University. On October 31, 1943 they were married in a small Methodist Church in Woonsocket, South Dakota, with George's father, a Methodist minister, presiding.

Together the McGovern's had five children: daughters included Ann, Susan, Mary and Teresa and one son Steven.

Pause here to view the exhibit of George and Eleanor's early life and the timeline of their life together.